Yoko Ono on Bowie: ‘David Was as Close as Family’

Following the death of David Bowie, Yoko Ono penned a heartfelt tribute to the rocker she considered a good friend as well as a “father figure” to her son after John Lennon‘s death. “John and David respected each other,” Ono wrote. “They were well matched in intellect and talent. As John and I had very few friends, we felt David was as close as family.”

Bowie and Lennon collaborated on the Young Americans single “Fame,” which gave Bowie his first U.S. Number One song in September 1975. The pair first met in January of that year when Bowie was living in New York, and Bowie and Lennon quickly organized a one-day recording session at Electric Lady Studios, resulting in “Fame.” (Bowie also covered the Beatles’ “Across the Universe” on Young Americans.) Although the rock legends never collaborated again, they remained close until Lennon’s death in 1980.

“After John died, David was always there for Sean and me. When Sean was at boarding school in Switzerland, David would pick him up and take him on trips to museums and let Sean hang out at his recording studio in Geneva,” Ono continued. “For Sean, this is losing another father figure. It will be hard for him, I know. But we have some sweet memories which will stay with us forever.”

Sean Lennon added his own tribute on Instagram, writing of Bowie’s death, “Absolutely devastating news. I feel so lucky to have considered you a friend. R.I.P. Thank you for everything.”

Bowie passed away Sunday following an 18-month battle with cancer. He was 69.

As John & I had very few friends, we felt David was as close as family. Sweet memories will stay with us forever. pic.twitter.com/WoZsztnm4E